A Bittersweet Potion
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | A Bittersweet Potion (series) |
| Author(s): | Alchemia Dent and Bugland |
| Date(s): | 2002 - present |
| Length: | 9 books (WIP) |
| Genre(s): | Harry/Snape slash |
| Fandom(s): | Harry Potter |
| Relationship(s): | |
| External Links: | http://www.intertexius.com |
 Cover art by saridout (approx 2000s) | |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
A Bittersweet Potion (often abbreviated ABP) is the name of the first book of a nine-book series; the series is also known as The Bittersweet Potion Series. It is an in-progress Harry Potter fanfiction story by Alchemia and Bugland.
The first book of the series was posted in 2002, during the fandom's Three-Year Summer. In 2003, it was a finalist for "Best General Fic" in Pure Magnetism's Harry Potter Slash Awards. The most recent update was part of book six, on the 31st of December 2007. Although there has not been an update for several years, Alchemia has posted that he and Bugland are still working on it.[1][2]
Portions of the series have been translated into French by Nymia, Russian by Alvina3, Finnish by Golden Snape, and Spanish by Rele.
Summary
During his 5th year, Harry Potter acquires the ability to shape-shift into anything he wishes. While in the form of a cat, he is adopted by Severus Snape, who believes he is a stray.
Absinthe features throughout the series. While simply alcoholic to muggles, it is a powerful potion to wizards, the effects of which were described by Oscar Wilde:
After the first glass you see things as you wish they were. After the second glass you see things as they are not. Finally, you see things as they really are, and that is the most horrible thing in the world.[3]
Books in the Series
The books in the series are titled:
- A Bittersweet Potion
- Procul His
- Purification
- The River
- Family
- Rite of Passage
- Book Seven: To be Named
- Book Eight: To be Named
- Book Nine: To be Named
Fan Reactions and Reviews
The imagery is at times subtle, but always strong, giving a sense of loss and confusion that permeates each chapter, echoing the feelings of both Harry and Severus. For not only is Harry struggling to define himself and grow up, but Severus, too, is attempting to do the same, having never had a chance to be truely independent, with no one else for master. Their responses are stiking in similarity, yet completely opposite. In their cravings for affection, neither knows what to do, but while Harry clings to Severus, the older man grows colder and shoves Harry (and everyone else) away. These similarities and differences are cleverly highlighted by the occasional chapter written in Severus's point of view by Bug, though the majority of the novels are seen through Harry's eyes as written by Al. The NC-17 rating is earned several times over, but do not think that it is a smutty story. Yes, there is sex, but it is deftly woven into the scenes as necessarily as the violence shown. Indeed, for every heartwarming sex-scene, there are at least two more that invoke cringing horror, whether as seen through Harry-as-Voldemort, or between Harry and Severus themselves. In reference to the latter, no two people as unsure about their places or acceptance can have a healthy relationship, though it is attempted. Yet even the violence and sex pale in comparison to the powerfully psychological content. With the former two removed, the pyschologically disturbing material alone would keep the rating high - it is not for the weak of heart or stomach.[4]
The first time I read this fic, years ago when it was significantly shorter, I was absolutely dumbstruck. It was strange, disturbing, and, logically, it took me to a very different place - a place I wasn't completely comfortable being in. But I absolutely loved it. Strange as it might be, every bit of it worked - the characterizations, the writing quality, the motivations, the situations...Stylistically, it's much more interesting than most other fics out there, successfully utilizing both first person narrative (mostly Harry's, but occasionally Snape offers his own cynical take on things) and present tense, playing with writing conventions ocassionally to a very intriguing result. And some of the stuff these two come up with, plot-wise, is nothing short of genius. The basic storyline is that Harry's 'Gift' enables him to become a 'Osulc-dhnelgenzin shape changer' - rather like a super animagus, I suppose. In his preferred form of a cat, Harry is unknowingly and somewhat reluctantly adopted by (who else?) Snape. But Harry's charade cannot last forever and when it ends...well, that's when the real fun really begins. :-)[5]
There is one fic series I love, but one particular plotline in it squicks me really badly. The series is the "Bittersweet Potion" one by Alchemia and Bugland, and the plotline is the aging potion breeding experiment one. Especially since I've had babies, it really bothers me. When I re-read those fics, I skip it if I can.[6]
If you’re looking for happy endings, look elsewhere. If you’re looking for a clean closed endings, look elsewhere.Sorry I took so long to post this. Rereading these two took longer than I though it would.
These two aren’t afraid of being nasty. Really really nasty. But, by Rowling, can they write a story. It will repel you. Then suck you right back in. God, I’m exhausted. But in a good way.
I beleive Al is in charge of Harry. And he can be really nasty or really sweet. I don’t know whether I love or hate him.
Bug, on the other hand, is probably responsible of the long angsty Snape monologues. I don’t know why I love them, but I do.
I swear, after this, I am reccing a romantic fic fulled with enough fluffy feeling to choke a care bear.[7]
I usually read for the sex. This fic has NO SEX. But, it's one of the most beautiful fanfics I've ever read. Snape is in character despite vivid looks into his personal life. Usually, if a person writes a tired, gentle, Snape, he's just tired and gentle. These authors created a tired and angry Snape that can be gentle under certain circumstances. Cameos from other characters such as Draco, McGonagall, and Lucius are just as in-character as Severus and Harry. Albus is more true to canon than any other Albus I've ever encountered in fic. Overall, just a very well written and well thought-out piece of work. In the end, the reader is left with very few questions and I think the things left unanswered were left that way, on purpose. Beautiful.[8]
Related Fanworks
There have been several fan translation of the first book, into French, Russian, Finnish and Spanish, as well as fan art created by readers.[9] On the 19th of February, 2007, fans created abp_meta a LiveJournal community for discussion of the series.[10][11] Alchemia has said that "...While I do sometimes discuss my writing in [my personal] journal, that comm is a place for readers to discuss their interpretations. I am not offended by critique, or being asked to stay out of a discussion there. Concrit and analysis is always welcomed (that's my favourite part of reading anything, so it's flattering to have people do the same to my stuff!)". [12]
Other fans have been inspired to create fanart along with alchemia's artwork.[13]
References
- ^ I have had some people ask in private messages/emails about if we ever plan to finish ABP. The answer is YES. alchemia. ABP explaination, Archived version, posted to livejournal August 5, 2012.
- ^ Bugland and I have been making quite a bit of progress with writing! alchemia. ABP, Archived version, posted to dreamwidth, Oct. 31st, 2016.
- ^ Oscar Wilde on absinthe; quoted in "Letters to the Sphinx from Oscar Wilde: With Reminiscences of the Author" by Ada Leverson (London: Duckworth, 1930).
- ^ "2. The 'A Bittersweet Potion' Series, Livejournal post by whatnottoread, Dec 14, 2005". Archived from the original on 2025-04-30.
- ^ "August 7, 2007 Livejournal post by ayslin". Archived from the original on 2017-07-24.
- ^ "Comment on Fandom Inquiry: The Most Disturbing Fan Fic You've Ever Read?, Sep 9, 2009 Dreamwidth post". Archived from the original on 2017-07-24.
- ^ "Author Rec: Alchemia Dent and Bugland". Archived from the original on 2025-04-30.
- ^ "Snarry Recs". Archived from the original on 2025-04-30.
- ^ "fithfath.com/fanwork/main".
- ^ Discussion of A Bittersweet Potion by Al and Bug's Journal, Archived version (Accessed 05 January 2017)
- ^ alchemia. untitled, Archived version, posted to livejournal February 25th, 2007.
- ^ alchemia - Profile
- ^ Gallery